Gavin is an outstanding student. In an email sent to teachers of ninth grade students, many teachers stated what a positive influence Gavin has had on our school since enrolling at Syracuse Junior High this year. As reported by Mrs. Stone: “Gavin is independent. He does not require the approval of others and is his own person. He digs in when school gets tough, he is honest about his abilities and a great help to many of his peers. Gavin has been cast as Prince Charming in our school play The Brothers Grimm. Quite a few girls are excited about this.”

Gavin is also looking forward to being a member our Syracuse Junior High’s wrestling team. Last summer he spent time at a Junior Leadership Summit and is an active member of his local scouting group. Gavin was the Student Council President of his previous school and maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

At the January Council meeting, Mayor Gailey and the City Council recognized Terry Palmer, along with his wife Diane, for their service to the City over the last four years. On behalf of the Mayor and Council, Corinne Bolduc and Andrea Anderson presented Mr. Palmer with a framed retired City Flag that flew over City Hall during Mayor Palmer’s term. City Manager Brody Bovero presented a commemorative clock to Mr. Palmer on behalf of the City. Jayne Gailey, incoming “First Lady of Syracuse,” presented Diane with some cozy blankets for Terry and Diane to snuggle up with for a popcorn and movie night with all their newfound free time.

I was a Syracuse boy. When attending reunions or other City functions, I loved the activities planned for youth. But as I grew, I developed a fascination of sitting with the older folks to hear the stories people tell. I’d like to share a story from boyhood.

Syracuse boys knew nothing of video games or other electronic devices. Our first toys were rocks! We built with them. We threw them, hit them with slats from tomato boxes, shot them in flippers and slingshots. We flung them at birds, dogs, cats and on occasion at each other. At eight years, most graduated to BB guns.

One afternoon as I departed on my daily bird hunt, I spotted a feral chicken roosting in the old coal shed behind our home. To my boy mind, the hen was simply a bird, but a bigger, grander trophy. I shot her dead! Mother would be proud. It would be my favorite tonight for supper, chicken noodle soup over mashed potatoes!

When I lifted my dead prize from her roost, I discovered a clutch of six chicks she’d been guarding. Suddenly, I felt sick. My boyish mind didn’t know what to do. I did the only thing I trusted in. I found Mother and showed her what I’d done. I knew she’d know the right thing to do.

We did have chicken noodle soup over mashed potatoes. But I was charged with building a brooder and watching over six chicks until they were self-sufficient. Mom made me the dead hen’s surrogate.

My mother taught me a life-lesson that day. Her teaching is contained in a statement by US Chief Justice, Potter Stewart:

“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.”

It’s arguable, that I had done nothing wrong! The hen belonged to no one. Feral chickens were common in the day. Perhaps I had a right, after all her sacrifice did feed our family.

After listening to Mother’s counsel, I learned the truth. Given the circumstances, what I did that day was not the right thing to do. I love this quote from Dr. Wayne Dyer: “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” I had not been kind.

I am delighted to serve with a City Council that each loves this city and seeks the best interest of its populace. I have great respect for them. Each brings strength to that body. It’s also clear they subscribe to Mother’s teachings.

It has been my pleasure to serve the community the last four years as a member of the City Council. I’m now deeply honored to serve as Mayor. Thank you for your confidence. The next four years are going to be critical in what Syracuse becomes as the West Davis Corridor changes Syracuse from the cul-de-sac community it’s been, to the crossroads it will become.

I loved my mother’s preserves, especially apricot. Gone are the days when I could sample them. Luckily, she preserved more than fruit. In my mind, preserved forever, are stories that smack of what used to be. You old-timers: help others acquire the taste of our community. They will only know what was via the stories you will tell.

Work your heart, muscles, and mind in this fun, energetic workout! All skill levels are welcome, we offer low and high-intensity options for you to choose from. Find more info on Facebook at Syracuse Fitness Classes. $3 drop-in, $20 10-class punch pass, first class FREE!

Pump It Up! Tuesday 6:10 am; Friday 9:00 am

Boost your metabolism and tone your muscles with resistance training. We provide hand weights and exercise balls, you just bring your own exercise mat. All skill levels are welcome, we suggest different options so you can work at your own pace. Syracuse Community Center. $3 drop-in, $20 10-class punch pass, first class FREE!

The annual Syracuse Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Founder’s Park on Saturday, March 31, at 10 am SHARP! Children 11 years of age and younger are welcome to participate. The Easter Bunny will be available for picture-taking with the children. Accommodations for special needs children will be available. Volunteers are needed to help stuff eggs. If you are interested, please call the Syracuse Community Center at 801-614-9660 opt. 1

June 23rd – 30th Syracuse Days

Volunteer Opportunities

Egg Stuffing – must be completed and dropped off by Friday, March 30th

For more information, visit syracuserecreation.com or call 801-614-9660

This program is for Little Kicks (must be 4 as of September 1, 2018) thru 6th Grade. All leagues are Co-Ed. Cost is $46 (Residents). Registration fee includes a jersey, shorts, and socks.

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL: Registration February 1- March 31

This program is for pre-kindergarteners (must be 5 before September 1, 2018) thru 9th grade. The cost/league is as follows: T-Ball and Coach Pitch ($40), Machine Pitch ($45), Minor/Major ($50), Jr. High ($55). Registration fee includes a jersey and hat.

YOUTH TUMBLING: Registration February 1 – March 2

There will be 6 classes taught by Safety-Certified Instructor Kim Nielson

I was raised in Syracuse on a small hobby farm. December 25th, 1984 I awoke to a dog training book as my Christmas present. Inside was a letter from Santa Clause informing me of a Brittney Spaniel named Jake that was in the garage waiting for me. This started my love for dogs. Over the next 20 years I raised Brittney’s and Labrador retrievers.

When my wife Rhonda and I had kids, my first child Makynzee was sick and in and out of the hospital for the first four years of her life. After many doctor visits we found out that she was allergic to practically everything, so we soon got rid of our animals including my dogs.

We met Harley, an F1b Golden doodle, in April 2012 and our family fell in love. Golden doodles are a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle and are supposed to be “hypoallergenic and non-shedding”. All I know is Harley does not shed and Makynzee is not allergic to her. She is very trainable and very smart.

Since getting Harley we have bought another Golden doodle and once a year we breed them. I know there will be some people reading this that will say that Golden doodles are mutts and I should not breed them. However, I have sold pups to veterans suffering from PTSD who say they are calmer than they have been in years when they are with these pups. I have also sold to people suffering from cancer or some suffering from mental issues who say these dogs help them through their most trying times of their lives.

My family and I love our Golden doodles. We take them to baseball games, camping, and fishing, anywhere we go they can go. I believe every kid deserves two things; a dog and a parent who will let them have one.